Tylenol/Motrin

The tables below provide recommended dosage charts for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil). Here are some important general guidelines for using these products:

• We recommend acetaminophen/Tylenol as a first line treatment for fever. If your child's response does not seem adequate, try ibuprofen as an alternative. Either medication can be used for pain; ibuprofen may have some benefits for pain related to inflammation.
• You are treating your child, not a number on the thermometer. Your goal in treating a fever is to make your child comfortable, not to make the number lower.
• Whenever possible, use your child’s most current weight when choosing an appropriate dose of medication.
• Do not give both acetaminophen and ibuprofen to a child with fever. It is OK to “tag team” a dose of the second medicine on a one-time basis if you are having trouble making your child comfortable, but this should not be a recurrent procedure. Please discuss this with your physician.
• Temperature should be measured with an approprite device which you understand how to use correctly. Contact our office if you have questions. 
• Never give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to an infant under 2 months of age. In addition, do not give ibuprofen to an infant under the age of 6 months without specific direction from a physician.
• Acetaminophen rectal suppositories can be purchased at your pharmacy without a prescription. They are helpful to have on hand in case your child has fever or pain and is vomiting and can’t keep down acetaminophen by mouth. Use K-Y Jelly or Vaseline to lubricate the suppository and insert in the child’s rectum every 4 hours as necessary.

*over the course of 2017, Tylenol will be transitioning to a 160 mg CHEWABLE tablet (to be consistent with other formulations), please make sure to check mg dosing on the package.*